Latest Presidential Polls: Romney Ryan Surging Ahead of Ryan vs Biden Debate

Impact

Real Clear Politics has Romney leading Obama by 1.3 points going into Thursday's Vice Presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. The Romney surge has been non-stop since his commanding performance in last Wednesday’s presidential debate against Obama. The Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll has Obama leading Romney by a narrow margin, 48% to 47%. Gallup’s poll of likely voters has Romney leading by one point, 48% to 47%.

Ryan will be looking to increase that margin by forcing Biden to defend the administration's four years of slow economic growth, rising national debt, and trillion dollar budget deficits. Biden no doubt will point to the September unemployment rate of 7.8%, the lowest level since the administration came into office on January 2009, as evidence that the administration policies are working.

Conservative media tried to stir up some controversy by implying that moderator Martha Raddatz was less than objective. Raddatz’ husband Julius Genachowski, worked in the Obama administration and Obama attended the couple’s wedding 21 years ago. The baseless claim was immediately shot down by ABC News spokesman Michael Steel, who said that the Ryan team had “no concerns” about Raddatz' credentials, integrity, or objectivity.

Real Clear Politics is also reporting that Obama’s lead in the battleground states is waning. The aggregate polling site has increased the number of battleground states to 12 and Obama’s projected electoral count has dropped to 201, while Romney’s remains stuck at 181. Rasmussen’s Daily Swing State Tracking poll has Romney leading 49% to Obama’s 48%.

The Democratic Party is touting increases in voter registration drives as an indication that enthusiasm is growing in battleground states for the administration. Politico reported, “The most current data, available online from state election boards, give Democrats a registration advantage in most of the battleground states with party identification: Florida, Iowa, North Carolina and Nevada. The party also significantly outpaces Republican registration in Pennsylvania by more than 1 million voters. That's part of the reason Romney's campaign has not made a serious effort to compete in the state.”

The debate will be held at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, from 9:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., moderated by ABC's Martha Raddatz. For live coverage, including real-time analysis, live stream, and updates, follow along here.